Author Archives
John is the founder of downthetubes, launched in 1998. He is a comics and magazine editor, writer, and Press Officer for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He also runs Crucible Comic Press.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine and Overkill for Marvel UK, Babylon 5 Magazine, Star Trek Magazine, and its successor, Star Trek Explorer, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics; and has edited several comic collections and graphic novels, including volumes of “Charley’s War" and “Dan Dare”, and Hancock: The Lad Himself, by Stephen Walsh and Keith Page.
He’s the writer of comics such as Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs”, with Dave Hailwood.
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Victory for soldier fighting for pension
Charley’s War documents the madness of the First World War and the suffering of the soldiers at the front – and on their return home. It’s a story that resonates today, as veterans return home from fighting in Afghanistan and… Read More ›
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‘Join the Army’ anti-war comic gets backing from ex-soldiers
Controversial London based artist Darren Cullen has just released Join the Army – his first self-published publication, a satirical ‘anti-army recruitment comic’ which charts many of the perplexing reasons a young recruit might want to sign-up and potentially lose life… Read More ›
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Lego “Legends of Chima” comic magazine launches
Immediate Media has launched the first LEGO CHIMA branded magazine, LEGO Legends of Chima, a title aimed at 7 to 11 year-old children which will feature exclusive LEGO cover mounts. Out now, the four-weekly magazine takes readers on a journey… Read More ›
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New Off Life out now, physical and digital!
The latest issue of OFF LIFE, the free comics anthology showcasing the best UK talent, is out now on in print and available from select locations – and digitally via Panel Nine’s iPad app, SEQUENTIAL. OFF LIFE is the UK’s… Read More ›
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New Commandos battle into newsagents
Here’s the lowdown on the latest issues of DC Thomson’s Commando, on sale from all good newsagents and digitally from tomorrow, 7th November 2013… Commando No 4651 – Battle On The Beach Story: Mac MacDonald Art: Keith Page Cover: Keith… Read More ›
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Titan Comics Snowpiercer – release details confirmed
Titan Comics has announced a world-first English translation of the acclaimed French comic Snowpiercer – soon to be a major motion picture starring Captain America star Chris Evans. The story will be published in a pair of graphic novels hitting… Read More ›
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Beano gets a Top Gear makeover thanks to guest editor Richard Hammond
TV presenter Richard Hammond both stars in and was guest editor of this week’s The Beano, on sale today. The special issue, on sale Wednesday 6th November, has a Grand Prix theme and follows the Top Gear star as he… Read More ›
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Waterstones Special Offer should appeal to book buyers
If you’re considering picking up some graphic novels this week or next, such as Titan Books impending release of Marada The She Wolf by Chris Claremont and John Bolton, then we have an offer for you that might be of… Read More ›
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Imperial War Museum announces the First World War Centenary Partnership Programme
The First World War Centenary Partnership’s Programme is to present over 500 new exhibitions, 1,500 events across the country and 700 new digital resources to commemorate the Centenary of the First World War in 2014. Established in 2010 by Imperial… Read More ›
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Dan Dare Reboot Competition: Jonathan Wyke
Here’s Cornwall-based Jonathan Wyke‘s entry for our Dan Dare Reboot Challenge, which ends on 21st November 2013. “I know that you seem to be looking at something that looks more contemporary, but I didn’t really want to draw that,”… Read More ›
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‘Batman Automobilia’ Hits One Millionth Copy
British publisher Eaglemoss is celebrating the printing of its one millionth copy of its Batman Automobilia partwork title – just ten months after its launch. Eaglemoss – who also publish Doctor Who part works, James Bond, Marvel Superheroes tie-ins and… Read More ›
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Panel Borders: Bad Planets and Misguided Islands
Starting a month of shows about comic book creators who collaborate together, later today on radio show Panel Borders Alex Fitch talks to to pairs of creators who come from outside the world of comics. In an interview recorded at… Read More ›
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Creating Comics: Learning the Basics with AnySketch
Here’s an interesting little app from Korea that might be of use to new or young artists trying to learn what makes a comic panel or page ‘tick’ as part of learning the art of comic creation. When I was… Read More ›
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Judgement is due… in Scunthorpe!
(With thanks to Kev Levell for the tip off and Pete Wells for permission touse some of his photos): An exhibition of art work featuring 2000AD‘s Judge Dredd is currently running at the Visual Arts Centre in Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire… Read More ›
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Stan Lee versus… Judge Dredd? IDW “Mars Attacks” Variant Cover
Here’s an item of Mars Attacks! Judge Dredd-inspired goodness that will have fans monitoring eBay for a copy – a variant cover from US publisher IDW featuring Stan Lee, co-creator of Spider-Man and the Fantastic Four (and more) – as… Read More ›
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Asterix and the Picts sells two million copies in a week (and that’s just in France)
Asterix and the Picts – the first new Asterix book in eight years, with a new creative team – Jean-Yves Ferri and Didier Conrad – taking over the popular series, has been a runaway success and is already being reprinted in… Read More ›
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London Super Comic Convention announces more guests for 2014 show
The London Super Comic Convention has just announced its second wave of attending creators for its 2014 show (15th – 16th March), who include Ian Churchill, Katie Cook, Alan Davis, Mark Farmer, Adi Granov, Roger Langridge, John Layman,Tom Palmer, Dan… Read More ›
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MCM London Comic Con Smashes Attendance Record With 88,000 Visitors
The UK’s biggest comic con got even bigger last weekend, with MCM London Comic Con bringing a record-breaking 88,000 visitors through the doors of ExCel London. “The latest London Comic Con smashed the show’s previous high of 76,000 attendees back… Read More ›
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Freaktown Comics release first titles
Just in time for Hallowe’en, Freaktown Comics – a new UK-based small press publishing imprint, specialising in horror and adventure one-shots – has just launched its first titles, with both on sale at Thought Bubble in Leeds next month. The… Read More ›
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Death’s Head comes to Heroclix
Heroclix has just announced the upcoming release of a Death’s Head figure for their collectible miniatures game, as part of their upcoming Marvel HeroClix: The Invincible Iron Man set. Death’s Head was the Marvel HeroClix 2012 Fan-Vote Winner , winning… Read More ›